An Overview of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) DOE Order 450.1 - Environmental Protection Program Workshop

an EMS is a formal, structured and consistent approach to identification and management of an organization’s environmental issues; incorporates environmental considerations into day-to-day operations throughout the organization; is designed to promote and sustain pollution prevention and continual environmental improvement.

An Effective EMS is: Flexible; Transparent; Useful to the “practitioner”; In harmony with mission focus; Focused on continual improvement.

General Principles: An EMS Uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act Management Model Serves the organization and its mission, not the reverse Is a process, not an event Is the people & their actions, not the words & aspirations Rests on changing attitudes & behaviors “Want to, not have to” Starts at the top, and the bottom and is implemented throughout

WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM? The ISO 14001 Definition “The the overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy.”

Major Components of an EMS Policy Planning Implementation and Operation Checking and Corrective Action Management Review

Continual Improvement Checking & Corrective Action Plan Do Check Act Continual Improvement Management Review Environmental Policy Checking & Corrective Action Planning Implementation & Control

Planning Identify Determine Environmental Priority Aspects and Impacts Develop Identify Environmental Aspects Establish Environmental Activities, Objectives Management Products and Program and Targets Services Determine Legal and Other Requirements

Implementation Capabilities & Organization & Controls Accountability Communications EMS Documentation Training, Awareness and Document Control Competence Structure and Responsibility Operational Control Communication Emergency Preparedness and Response

Checking and Corrective Action Ongoing Non-conformance, Monitoring and Corrective and Measuring Preventive Action Records Periodic Internal EMS Audits

Management Review Process Take account of: audit findings progress records on objectives changes to facilities changes in activities, products or services changes in technology concerns of interested parties other relevant information To Assess the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the EMS In order to determine the need for change and improvement to: the environmental policy the objectives and targets other elements of the EMS

Relationship Among Environmental Management System Elements ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OBJECTIVES & TARGETS ASPECTS LEGAL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS OPERATIONAL CONTROLS MONITORING & MEASUREMENT REVIEW TRAINING CORRECTIVE & PREVENTIVE ACTION EMS AUDITING DOCUMENTATION

Where Does Compliance Fit in EMS and ISO 14001? There is “Compliance Management System” embedded within the broader “Environmental Management System” First- the theme of compliance is seen throughout the plan-do-check-act elements Second, there are specific compliance-related requirements in an EMS (such as periodic compliance audits)

Keep in mind… The EMS and related measurement tools are just that- tools. Alone, they will not guarantee success. The organization must use the tools, not just have them. A useful EMS is “alive”; constantly measuring performance, making adjustments, and looking for continual improvement opportunities

Conclusions An EMS is a formal system for managing the environmental footprint of your organization Most organizations already have several EMS elements in place - the system relationship is lacking An EMS must serve the mission of the organization Success comes from being committed to continual improvement for the long term